Gareth Bale to Real Madrid: A timeline of events so far

Real Madrid have added another chapter to the return of their Galactico policy as, according to multiple reports, the La Liga royalty have placed an official £85 million fee for star winger Gareth Bale, of Tottenham Hotspur.

The 24-year-old has come a long way from a scrawny teenager who Southampton took a gamble on in 2005, especially as he was widely regarded to be a dud signing when he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, failed to feature in a victory for over two years and was almost shipped out for £3 million.

He is, currently, the hottest asset in world football.

2005

Features for a Southampton youth side at Norwich City's training ground and impresses the Southampton scouts enough to be formally invited to the Saints' academy.

2006

April: Makes his professional debut for Southampton aged 16 years and 275 days.

August: Scores his first league goal… a free kick.

2007

May: Signs for Tottenham Hotspur for an initial £5 million with the potential to rise to £10m, however, due to financial dire straits suffered at Southampton, a final fee of £7m was agreed a year later.

2009

September: After a 24-losing run, Bale finally features in a Spurs victory, over two years after signing for the club.

October: During Harry Redknapp's tenure as Tottenham manager, Bale becomes linked with a move away from North London, to Birmingham City for a £3m fee. The press even dub him a 'flop'.

2010

April: Bale scores the winner against Arsenal at home.

October: Scores a European hat-trick against Internazionale in the Champions League.

2011

April: Wins PFA Player of the Year award.

Summer: Attracts attention from Barcelona and Chelsea but remains a loyal Lilywhite.